Method of apparatus for allocating a player&#39;s contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for allocating a player&#39;s contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a contribution from a user, splitting the contribution into a number of parts in accordance with a predetermined ratio, allocating at least one of the parts of the contribution to one of the games, and modifying the predetermined ration in response the measured performance of the gaming apparatus. In particular embodiments, the modified ratio I n  is determined in accordance with formula (1) or formula (2) where I 0  is the base ratio, RTP is the designed performance, T is the revenue, P is the total prizes and Q is a control variable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method or apparatus for allocating aplayer's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality ofgames.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with a plurality ofinterlinked gaming terminals in one or more gaming establishments andwill be described hereinafter predominantly with reference to thisapplication. However, the invention is not limited to that particularfield of use and is also suitable for use with online gaming, lotto,pools, lotteries, art unions, bingo, raffles and other games involvingone or more wagers being placed upon an outcome having a finiteprobability of occurring. Additionally, the invention is applicable toany type of gaming, such as gaming that may be entered into on apersonal computer via the Internet, for example.

BACKGROUND

The discussion of the prior art within this specification is to assistthe addressee understand the invention and is not an admission of theextent of the common general knowledge in the field of the invention andis included without prejudice.

It is known in gaming systems to specify the proportion of what a playerinputs to a game that is returned to that player i.e. a proportion ofthe revenue of a gaming machine. This measure is referred to as theReturn to Player (RTP) amount and is expressed as a percentage of theplayer input i.e. as the RTP percentage. The RTP can be described as theproportion of the value input by a player that contributes to the prizespaid out by the machine. The specific value of the RTP is determined bythe attributes of the gaming device itself i.e. the likelihood of awinning combination accruing within a specified time period. Where thegaming device is a so called a “pokie” or “fruit” machine, the RTP % isdetermined by the probability of the winning combinations of symbolsoccurring on the reels over a given time. The time over which the RTP %is calculated is referred to as a cycle and is the number of plays ofthe game that would need to be played so that all possible sequences ofsymbols appear to the player.

While the RTP % represents the expected performance of a machine over aspecified time period, the actual performance can vary within thatspecified period. The actual performance is termed the Actual Return ToPlayer Percentage (ARTP %). The turnover (T) of a given gaming machinefor a specified period is recorded in a turnover meter. Similarly, thetotal of the prizes paid out (P) for a machine is also recorded in atotal payout meter. The ARTP % at any given time is the ratio of theturnover of a machine to the total of the prizes the machine has paidout over the specified period at that time.

In known gaming systems the RTP % is controlled by the manufacturer,operator or venue controller prior to gaming devices being available forplay. The RTP % may be displayed to the players as required in somejurisdictions. The RTP % may be varied where gaming systems are providedwith the functionality to enable the selection of the RTP %. In somecases this may be from a predetermined set of RTP % values (also knownas variations). The manufacturer of the gaming system commonlydetermines such variations.

Gaming machines may be linked to other such machines to providesecondary gaming facilities such as a communal jackpot i.e. a jackpotthat can be won by playing any one of an associated group of machines.The communal jackpot is available over and above the possible prizesfrom the base game being played on each individual machine. In thissituation the revenue is split between the base game and the communalgame. The manufacturers of the gaming system traditionally determine theproportion of the split.

One problem with the prior art arrangement is that some games providedby gaming machines are volatile. In other words the ARTP % variessignificantly form the RTP % over the specified time period. As aresult, the current performance of the machine may vary undesirably fromthe intended performance. This can result in the machine not awardingprizes of the size or frequency that is expected or required by thegaming machine user or operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatusbetween a plurality of games, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) receiving a contribution from a user;    -   b) splitting the contribution into a number of parts in        accordance with a predetermined ratio;    -   c) allocating at least one of the parts of the contribution to        one of the games; and    -   d) modifying the predetermined ratio in response the measured        performance of the gaming apparatus.

In some preferred embodiments the measure of performance is the ratio ofdesigned performance and the actual performance. Preferably theperformance is determined by the ratio of the revenue of the gamingapparatus and the value of prizes paid by the gaming apparatus. Morepreferably the modification of the ratio is proportional to thedifference in designed performance and actual performance.

In one embodiment, the modified ratio I_(n) is determined in accordancewith the formula:$I_{n} = {I_{n - 1} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where RTP is the designed performance, T is the revenue, P is the totalprizes and Q is a control variable.

In another embodiment, the modified ratio I_(n) is determined inaccordance with the formula:$I_{n} = {I_{0} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where I₀ is the base ratio, RTP is the designed performance, T is therevenue, P is the total prizes and Q is a control variable.

In a further embodiment, the predetermined ratio is modifiedperiodically. In another embodiment the predetermined ratio is modifiedin real time. In another embodiment the predetermined ratio is modifiedin response to the occurrence of non-time base criteria.

In one preferred embodiment the predetermined ratio is modified withinan upper limit. Preferably or alternatively the predetermined ratio ismodified within a lower limit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatusbetween a plurality of games, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) input means for receiving a contribution from a user;    -   b) splitting means for splitting the contribution into a number        of parts in accordance with a predetermined ratio;    -   c) allocating means for allocating at least one of the parts of        the contribution to one of the games; and    -   d) control means operable in response to the measured        performance of the gaming apparatus to modify the predetermined        ratio.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for use with a gaming machine to control the proportion of auser's contribution to a game, the apparatus comprising:

performance measuring means operable to measure the performance of thegaming machine;

control means operable in response to the performance of the gamingmachine to modify the proportion of the user's contribution to the game,

communication means for communicating the modified proportion to thegaming machine.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thespecification the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to beconstrued in an inclusive as opposed to en exclusive sense; that is tosay, in the sense of “included, but not limited to”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gaming system comprisinggaming terminals;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the hardware associated witheach of the gaming system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating and example of the performance of one ofthe gaming terminals of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing steps performed by the gaming machines ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a gaming system 101 comprising a number of gaming machines103 in communication with a system controller 105 via a network 107. Thesystem controller 105 is also connected to a display 109. The systemcontroller is also provided with a connection 111 to another systemcontroller (not shown). Each gaming machine 103 comprises a screen 115for displaying the game, which the terminal 103 offers, and a set ofuser controls 117 through which a user (not shown) inputs their choicesin the running of the game. Each gaming machine also comprises a paymentport 119 such as a coin slot or electronic card reader to enable theuser to pay for the game to be played.

In return for a user submitting a suitable payment via the payment port119 the gaming machine 103 enables the user to play a game of chance.The game may result in the user winning a prize. The likelihood of agaming machine 103 awarding a prize for a particular game play isdetermined by the design of the game. The game is designed to pay out inprizes a percentage of what users pay in over a predetermined number ofgame plays i.e. the RTP %.

In the arrangement of FIG. 1, users are able to participate in two gamesthat are linked. The first game provided by the gaming machines 103 asdescribed above, and the jackpot controller 105 provides a second game.The second game is a communal jackpot built up from contributions fromeach of the gaming machines 103. The jackpot is incremented towards anupper limit in by the value of each contribution as it is received fromthe gaming machines 103 via the network 107. The jackpot controller 105uses the display 109 to show the current value of the jackpot to theusers of the gaming machines 103. The jackpot controller 105 is arrangedto award the jackpot prize when the jackpot value increments over anundisclosed threshold. The threshold is set randomly or pseudo randomlyof initialization of the system controller 105 or after the systemcontroller 105 is reset in response to the awarding of a previousjackpot.

Since the first game provided by the gaming machines 103 is linked tothe second game provided by the game controller 105, the RTP % (whichcan be described as the money held aside from a user's payment to payout prizes) is split between the first and second games. Each gamingmachine 103 is arranged to split the RTP % from a game play inaccordance with a predetermined ratio. The value of the RTP % that isallocated to the second game is communicated to the jackpot controller105 via the network 107. This is the contribution referred to above thatthe jackpot controller 105 uses to increment the jackpot value. Thejackpot is incremented by the value of the contribution i.e. the valueof the RTP % allocated to the second game.

FIG. 2 illustrates a part of the hardware of the gaming machine 103 andthe jackpot controller 105. The split controller 200 is connected to afirst game controller 201 which is in turn connected to a revenue inputdevice 203 and a first accumulator 205. The first accumulator comprisestwo elements, a turnover meter 205 a and a total prize payout meter 205b. The game controller 201 is also connected via the network 107 to asecond game controller 207 in the jackpot controller 105. The gamecontroller 207 is also connected to a second accumulator 209, which isin turn connected to the display 109 (not shown).

The revenue input device 203 is operable to accept monetary input from auser in the form of coins or notes, tokens, payment card or othersuitable form of payment. The revenue input device 203 indicates theamount of the payment to the game controller 201, which responds byadding the input value to the accumulator 205. The accumulator 205 usesthe turnover meter 205 a to record the total amount of revenue receivedvia the revenue input device 203. The game controller 201 is the elementin the gaming machine that actually runs the first game in response touser commands input via the control panel 117 (FIG. 1). The gamecontroller also controls the paying out prizes for the first game asthey are won and records such events in the total prize payout meter 205b. The game controller is also arranged to communicate the split of theRTP % to the second game controller 207. This communication alsoincludes data that identifies to the second game controller 207 which ofthe gaming machines 103 has provided a given split of the RTP %.

The game controller 201 is also responsive to signals form the splitcontroller 200 to modify the RTP % split between first and second games.The split controller 200 is arranged to monitor the performance of thegame being provided by the first game controller 201. The splitcontroller 200 periodically reads the contents of the meters 205 a and205 b and uses the contents to determine the ARTP % for the game. TheARTP % is then compared to the RTP % and results of this comparison usedto generate a control signal to the game controller. The game controlleruses the received control signal to modify the split of RTP % betweenthe first and second games. The modification is arranged to reduce anydivergence between the ARTP % and the RTP %. The operation of the splitcontroller 200 will be described in further detail below.

The second game controller 207 responds to the signals from the firstgame controller by adding the indicated RTP % split value to theaccumulator 209 and updates the display 109 (FIG. 1) with the revisedjackpot value. The second game controller 207 is the element of thejackpot controller 105 that runs the second game. In other words, thegame controller 207 sets the non-disclosed threshold value at which thejackpot will be paid out, receives signals form the gaming machines andupdates the accumulator 209 and the display 109 with that value.

The game controller 207 initiates a prize payout when a received RTP %split value added to the accumulator 209 causes the jackpot to meet orexceed the payout threshold. When this occurs the game controller 207identifies which of the gaming machines 103 triggered the jackpot andsends a signal to the identified machine. The gaming controller 201 ofthe identified gaming machine 103 responds to this signal by indicatingto the user that the jackpot has been awarded and paying out the jackpotamount. In response to a jackpot award occurring the game controller 207also resets the jackpot value and generates a new payout thresholdbefore receiving further signals from the gaming machines 103 andincrementing the jackpot value in the accumulator 209 accordingly.

It should be noted that prizes paid out for the second game by the firstgame controller 201 are also recorded in the total prize payout meter205 b. These prize values are required for the calculation of the ARTP %for the gaming machine 103. In other words, the RTP % for a givenmachine is a combination of the winnings from both the first and secondgames.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the RTP % and ARTP % values over aspecified period (t) for a typical gaming machine and for one of thegaming machines 103. For both machines the RTP % 301 remains constantover time while the ARTP % 303, 305 for each machine varies. As aresult, at any given time within the specified period t the ARTP % 303,305 may be different from the RTP % 301. However, as a result of themodifications to the split made by the first game controller 201 inresponse to the signals from the split controller 200, the variation ofthe ARTP % 303 for the gaming machines of the present embodiment isreduced.

The operating process of one of the gaming machines 103 will now bedescribed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. At the first step401 the gaming machine has just been switched on for the first time. Inother words, the machine has just been commissioned and the accumulator205 and its meters 205 a, 205 b are set to zero. The process holds atstep 401 until a user inputs some monetary value at which pointprocessing moves to step 403.

At step 403, a timer is checked to determine whether a predeterminedperiod as elapsed. The predetermined period defines the frequency withwhich the split controller 200 monitors the ARTP % and modifies thesplit parameters accordingly. When the gaming machine has just been setup, the timer is set to an extended period. This extended period isdesigned to keep the split controller 200 inactive while the gamingmachine establishes significant data in the meters 205 a, 205 b. Ifeither the extended or the standard preset period has not expiredprocessing continues to step 409 which is described in more detailbelow.

If when the processing moves to step 403 the period has elapsed thenprocessing moves to step 405. At step 405 the ARTP % is calculated byobtaining the total revenue to date and the total prizes paid to datefrom the respective meters 205 a, 205 b. These figures are then used tocalculate new split parameters in accordance with formula 1 or formula 2below. $\begin{matrix}{I_{n} = {I_{n - 1} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}} & {{Formula}\quad 1} \\{I_{n} = {I_{0} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}} & {{Formula}\quad 2}\end{matrix}$

In formula 1 and formula 2, n is the modification iteration, RTP is theRTP % of the game, T is the total revenue to date, P is the total prizesto date and Q is a variable. In formula 2, I₀ is the base RTP % splitvalue or ratio that is allocated to the second game. Initially, I₀ isset to 2% and Q is set to 10.

The result of the calculation in step 405 is a modified allocation ofRTP % to the second game in response to the difference between the RTP %of the game and the actual performance i.e. the ARTP %. In other words,if the ARTP % is greater than the RTP % then a lesser proportion of theRTP % is allocated to the second game and vice versa. This has theeffect of mediating the ARTP % towards the expected RTP %. Tables 1 and2 below show some examples of the application of formulae 1 and 2respectively. TABLE 1 Current Modifi- Allocation cation of RTP % to NewIteration Second Game RTP % ARTP % Difference Allocation 1   2% 90.5%92% −1.5% 1.85% 2 1.85% 90.5% 91% −0.5%  1.8% 3  1.8% 90.5% 90% 0.5%1.85% 4 1.85% 90.5% 89% 1.5%   2% 5   2% 90.5% 91.5%   −1.0%  1.9%

TABLE 2 Current Modifi- Allocation cation of RTP % to New IterationSecond Game RTP % ARTP % Difference Allocation 1   2% 90.5% 92% −1.5%1.85% 2 1.85% 90.5% 91% −0.5% 1.95% 3 1.95% 90.5% 90% 0.5% 2.05% 4 2.05%90.5% 89% 1.5% 2.15% 5 2.15% 90.5% 91.5%   −1.0%  1.9%

As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2 above, the formulae act to reduce theallocation to the second game from the initial value of 2% when the ARTP% is greater that the RTP %. However, when the situation is reversed andthe difference becomes positive, the formulae begin to increase theallocation. Once the new allocation has been calculated, the processingmoves to step 407 at which the game controller 301 updates its RTP %split parameters in accordingly and processing moves to step 409.

At step 409 the gaming controller starts the game play sequence andwhile the game is in progress processing continues to step 411. At step411 the meter 205 a is updated with the value paid by the user for thegame in progress and processing moves to step 413. At step 413 thegaming controller extracts from the accumulator the appropriate value ofthe split RTP % for the second game in accordance with the splitparameters. The split parameters are either the preset values or mayhave been modified in step 407 above. This value is then signaled to thesecond game controller in combination with an indication of the identityof the current gaming machine.

Processing then moves to step 415 where it is determined whether ajackpot prize is due in response to any return signal from the secondgame controller 207. If a prize is due then processing moves to step417. At step 417 the prize is paid and process then moves to step 419and the meter 205 b is updated with the value of the prize. If nojackpot prize signal arrives from the second gaming controller 201before the end of the game play of the first game then processing movesfrom step 415 to step 419.

At step 419 it is determined whether a prize is due as a result of theend sequence of the current first game play. If a prize is due thenprocessing moves to step 421 where the prize is paid and the processmoves to step 423. At step 423 the meter 205 b is updated to take intoaccount the prize paid out. If no prize results from the game play thenprocessing moves straight from step 419 to step 425.

At step 425, the gaming controller 201 establishes whether enough creditremains for a further game play and if not processing moves to step 401where the user is prompted to input more credit. If at step 425sufficient credit remains then processing moves to step 403 andcontinues as described above for that step.

In the embodiment described above the allocation of RTP % to the secondgame is initially set at 2%. If in some situations a game wasparticularly volatile it might be desirable to set limits to thisallocation. In a further embodiment, the allocation is set with an upperlimit or a lower limit, for example 3% and 1% respectively. In furtheranother embodiment both upper and lower limits are in applied. Also, inthe embodiment above, the control variable Q is set to 10. This variableacts to control the size of the modification to the base RTP %allocation to the second game. Increasing Q results in a greater changeto the split to the second game in response to the ARTP %. Decreasing Qhas the opposite effect. The Q variable can be used to tune the systemfor prevailing conditions.

In some embodiments the split controller may be modified to operate inreal time i.e. to monitor the ARTP % constantly and update the splitparameters accordingly. In other embodiments the split controller may bearranged to monitor the ARTP % and modify the split parameters inresponse to non-time based criteria such as in response to prizes beingpaid out, a predetermined number of games having being played or for agiven amount of revenue being generated. In some embodiments the splitcontroller may be arranged to operate a random or pseudo-randomintervals. In other embodiments, both time based and non time basedtriggers may be used. In one embodiment, the frequency of the operationof the split controller is determined by the magnitude of the differencebetween the RTP % and the ARTP %.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, there will be otherknown formula that could be used in place of formula 1 or formula 2which would have the effect of moderating the volatility of a givengame. Such other smoothing formulae are well known. In some embodimentspredictive algorithms may be used to predict the ARTP % in the shortterm in order to provide the modified split of RTP % to the second game.

As a post-manufacture addition to a gaming system, embodiments of thepresent invention may extend the life of a gaming machine. This may beparticularly applicable in a situation where a volatile game has not hadenough play time to complete its play cycle and thus perform to theexpectations of the operator. Attaching an embodiment of the inventionto such a volatile game would provide a compensating effect.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatusthat embodies a part or all of the present invention may be a generalpurpose device having software arranged to provide a part or all of anembodiment of the invention. The device could be single device or agroup of devices and the software could be a single program or a set ofprograms. Furthermore, any or all of the software used to implement theinvention can be communicated via various transmission or storage meanssuch as computer network, floppy disc, CD-Rom or magnetic tape so thatthe software can be loaded onto one or more devices.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that itmay be embodied in other forms.

1. A method of allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatusbetween a plurality of games, the method comprising: a) receiving acontribution from a user; b) splitting the contribution into a number ofparts in accordance with a predetermined ratio; c) allocating at leastone of the parts of the contribution to one of the games; d) measuring aperformance of the gaming apparatus; and e) modifying the predeterminedratio in response to the measured performance of the gaming apparatus.2. The method according to claim 1 in which the measure of performanceis the ratio of designed performance and the actual performance.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2 in which the performance is determined independence upon the ratio of the revenue of the gaming apparatus and thevalue of prizes paid by the gaming apparatus.
 4. The method according toclaim 3 in which the modification of the ratio is proportional to thedifference in designed performance and actual performance.
 5. The methodaccording to any preceding claim 1 in which the modified ratio In isdetermined in accordance with the formula:$I_{n} = {I_{n - 1} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where RTP is the designed performance, T is the revenue, P is the totalprizes and Q is a control variable.
 6. The method according to claim 1in which the modified ratio I_(n) is determined in accordance with theformula:$I_{n} = {I_{0} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where I₀ is the base ratio, RTP is the designed performance, T is therevenue, P is the total prizes and Q is a control variable.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1 in which the predetermined ratio is modifiedperiodically.
 8. The method according to claim 1 in which thepredetermined ratio is modified in real time.
 9. The method according toclaim 1 in which the predetermined ratio is modified in response to theoccurrence of non-time base criteria.
 10. The method according to claim1 which the predetermined ratio is modified within an upper limit. 11.The method according to claim 1 in which the predetermined ratio ismodified within a lower limit.
 12. Apparatus for allocating a player'scontribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games,comprising: a) input means for receiving a contribution from a user; b)splitting means for splitting the contribution into a number of parts inaccordance with a predetermined ratio; c) allocating means forallocating at least one of the parts of the contribution to one of thegames; and d) control means operable in response to the measuredperformance of the gaming apparatus to modify the predetermined ratio.13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the measure of performanceis the ratio of designed performance and the actual performance. 14.Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the performance is determinedin dependence upon the ratio of the revenue of the gaming apparatus andthe value of prizes paid by the gaming apparatus.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14 in which the modification of the ratio isproportional to the difference in designed performance and actualperformance.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the modifiedratio I_(n) is determined in accordance with the formula:$I_{n} = {I_{n - 1} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where RTP is the designed performance, T is the revenue, P is the totalprizes and Q is a control variable.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 12in which the modified ratio I_(n) is determined in accordance with theformula:$I_{n} = {I_{0} + \left\lbrack \frac{{RTP} - {P/T}}{Q} \right\rbrack}$where I₀ is the base ratio, RTP is the designed performance, T is therevenue, P is the total prizes and Q is a control variable. 18.Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the control means is operableto modify the predetermined ratio periodically.
 19. Apparatus accordingto claim 12 in which the control means is operable to modify thepredetermined ratio real time.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 12 inwhich the control means is operable to modify the predetermined ratio inresponse to the occurrence of time independent criteria.
 21. Apparatusaccording to claim 12 in which the control means is operable to modifythe predetermined ratio within an upper limit.
 22. Apparatus accordingto claim 12 in which the control means is operable to modify thepredetermined ratio within a lower limit.
 23. Apparatus for use with agaming machine to control the proportion of a user's contribution to agame, the apparatus comprising: performance measuring means operable tomeasure the performance of the gaming machine; control means operable inresponse to the performance of the gaming machine to modify theproportion of the user's contribution to the game; and communicationmeans for communicating the modified proportion to the gaming machine.